The Chinese market is extremely big that there is space for auto makers to run their old product alongside the new one. It is very common to see companies not throwing away cars, even if they a decade or more old.
The next generation Honda Accord will be unveiled later this year based on the Accord Coupe Concept shown in America earlier in 2012. But that does not bother the Chinese operations who subscribe to the idea that the globally renowned D Segment model has not passed its prime. They have put it under the scalpel once again to turn back the years.
The future is green. With the depletion of fossil fuels and rising fuel prices, it has to be green. Most manufacturers are betting big on ‘green’ vehicles be it hybrids, EVs or even fuel cell technologies.
BMW has even unveiled a separate brand called ‘i’ especially for launching ultra fuel efficient vehicles. Honda, on similar lines, has unveiled the EarthDreams technology that would make future Honda cars very fuel efficient.
Our regular reader from the UAE Arjun Shrie who previously updated us on the Civic’s entry into the Middle East has returned with a few photographs and information on the CR-V for the Middle East. Arjun says the CR-V was launched yesterday in Dubai and the dealers have already registered 100 bookings. In India there are no signs of this model, Honda India’s continuous focus is on fast-forwarding deliveries of Brio, City and Jazz.
Over to you Mr Shrie!
The UAE market previously sourced the Honda CR-V from Japan until last year’s twin disaster that sent supply into a downward spiral. After the disasters Honda gradually moved supply for the UAE from Japan to USA. Now the new Honda CR-V, New Civic, Accord and Oddysey (MPV) are shipped from USA.
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A completely redesigned Honda Jazz is coming to town next year according to speculative media reports overseas. Some of these reports have speculated that the design has been fine tuned and the road presence is similar to the currently selling Jazz.
The design evolution may be similar to cars like the Swift or the Safari Storm when they moved to the next generation, wherein the original formula may not be reinvented as it is still working its magic.
Generally when cars are developed for emerging markets, they are launched in India, south east Asian countries, Russia, China and Brazil. Cars like the Etios and Duster are meant for the BRIC countries, the fastest growing auto markets in the world.
The reason is that most emerging markets share more or less the same characteristics. Thus, it makes sense for manufacturers to launch the product in multiple emerging markets to reap the economies of scale. Car penetration levels in these countries is less and making affordable cars is building a future as the customer can come back when he’s upgrading.
Autointrends.com has carried a speculative rendering of the next generation Honda Jazz/Fit scheduled to arrive next year. The 2013 Honda Jazz could be the first compact Honda powered by a diesel engine. A 1.2-liter, four-cylinder CRDI engine is reportedly in the works (reported first by IndianAutosBlog.com) for compact Honda models such as the new Jazz.
Reports in the Japanese media have explained the design changes through artist renderings. It may not change its outline but detailing could be slick and more aerodynamic. The character lines are sharper, the chrome-bar grille with the Honda emblem is borrowed from the Brio and LED clusters pep-up the headlight assembly.
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The Brazilian automotive market and the Indian automotive market are quite similar when it comes to the products that are offered.
In fact, the Ford EcoSport, which we are so kicked about, initially started testing in Brazil. But now there is a reverse scenario.
The facelifted Honda was first launched in Thailand and then in India quite a while back. Now, the City heads westwards to Brazil. Our good friends at Autossegredos have caught a lightly camouflaged test mule of the City in Brazil.
Yes, the Honda badge does stand for impeccable reliability but it also stands for performance in India. The old Honda City set the benchmark for performance sedans in India which the Civic and Accord cheerfully carried on.
Thus the Brio has a daunting task of keeping up with the family. At the same time, the competition is fierce. The Swift, i10 and the A Star offer very good drivability.
So does the Brio have what it takes to be a sporty hatchback? Let’s find out!
